Headline settles legal battle with author

Headline has settled a high court action brought by a former author for an undisclosed sum.

Author Amanda Smith had brought...

Headline has settled a high court action brought by a former author for an undisclosed sum.

Author Amanda Smith had brought the action after Headline abandoned publication of her misery memoir Toxic. The court ruled the publisher had breached contractual obligations by failing to give Smith "appropriate warnings and advice" as she wrote the book. However, Smith failed to prove other parts of her claim.

In a statement from Headline, it said: "Amanda Smith said she 'is delighted to be vindicated after what has been an horrendous journey'. Headline has accepted that mistakes were made by them with the way in which matters were handled. Amanda Smith now accepts that Headline did not act dishonestly or in bad faith. [Hachette UK c.e.o.] Tim Hely Hutchinson has apologised for the actions of Headline and wishes Amanda well for the future."